The X Factor audience screamed in horror when one of Louis Tomlinson's contestant went in the wrong direction and crashed off the stage.

One Direction star Louis was at London’s Wembley Arena for the show’s Six Chair Challenge round where he was putting the final few wannabes in the boys category through their paces.

But one lad, a kitchen porter called Tommy, sent the auditions into chaos when he accidentally fell five feet backwards off the stage.

Panicked show host Dermot O’Leary was seen sprinting to the back of the stage to help Tommy as the audience clamoured to know what had happened.

(Image: PA)

Louis joins Simon, Robbie and Ayda as they vow it out to pick to the best acts for the show (Image: X-Factor/Twitter)

Dermot O' Leary took charge of making sure than Tommy was not hurt in the fall (Image: WireImage)

Several crew members dashed to help as auditions were brought to a standstill and the judges jumped to their feet in shock. Luckily Tommy was unharmed.

Louis told him: “Lad, you scared the living daylights out of me.

“I’m really glad you’re ok because that was very scary.”

Tommy had to be checked over off camera by the show’s medical team and was deemed fit enough to carry on.

The new series of The X Factor has attracted controversy already over its judge line-up (Image: Thames / Syco Entertainment)

And after impressing his mentor he took a seat but viewers will have to wait to discover if he makes it through to Judges’ Houses when the show airs later this Autumn on ITV.

Meanwhile Simon Cowell , who has the girls category, was left so stressed choosing his final six that Robbie Williams branded “Sponge Bob Square Head”.

The former Take That star was disgusted when Simon stopped hopeful Jennifer while singing her original song.

He shouted: “If Sponge Bob Square Head doesn’t put you through then I want to cover that song. The chorus was spot on, an amazing hook. You’re a very clever song writer.”

Ayda Field added: “The power has gone to Simon’s head. It would be a crime not to give you a seat.”

Despite saying no to the hopeful, he changed his mind when the judges crowded around him.

A show insider said: “Simon has quickly discovered the new kids on the block are not ‘yes men’. They managed to change his mind several times in what was one of the most brutal nights at the six chair challenge we’ve ever had.”